Strawberry Cough is a variety of cannabis known for its ability to chase away feelings of anxiety and depression. And in addition to its medical effects, the Strawberry Cough strain is noted for its unusually sweet, spicy and berry-kissed flavor and aroma.
As many of our customers tell us, one of the top reasons people turn to medical cannabis is to relieve symptoms of stress and anxiety. If these are sensations you’d like to experience less of, Strawberry Cough is an award-winning strain that may offer a delectable solution.
Genetics, Effects, and Cannabinoids
Here at Vireo Health, we focus on the medical benefits of cannabis, including its potential to help us address chronic pain, insomnia, and other symptoms and conditions. One of the most important of the Strawberry Cough strain effects has to do with anxiety, a symptom that currently affects over 40 million American adults, or nearly 20% of the adult population.
Because sativa and sativa-leaning strains such as Strawberry Cough tend to have an energizing effect, when taken in moderation, they can help reduce the symptoms of anxiety and stress and patients claim that this strain helps with these symptoms, while helping to boost mood and relieve feelings of sadness.
We’ve written about the terms “indica” and “sativa” before and how they’ve been used for decades to describe different types of cannabis. We continue to use these terms at Vireo Health because they offer value to our customers and a simple shorthand for referring to a strain’s potential effects.
For example, classic indica strains are usually associated with a powerfully relaxing “body high” that can help melt away aches and physical pain. By comparison, sativa strains tend to be associated with cerebral stimulation and a noted euphoric uplift. And as we referenced earlier, this euphoria is a major reason Strawberry Cough has won so much acclaim.
Strawberry Cough’s effects are influenced by its genetics, so where does this strain come from? Like many cannabis cultivars, its backstory is somewhat hazy. Since Strawberry Cough first gained popularity over a decade ago, it has been bred by many cultivators and genetics can vary, but its “parent strains” often include:
- Strawberry Fields: An indica-dominant hybrid that gives Strawberry Cough its signature flavors and aromas, Strawberry Fields is loved for its deeply relaxing benefits.
- Haze: Also known as “Original Haze” or “OG Haze,” among other names, Haze is a classic sativa strain known for providing energy and a spark of creative inspiration. Haze was first grown in Santa Cruz, California, during the 1960s. Since then it’s gone on to contribute its genetics to countless strains around the world.
As with every cannabis strain, Strawberry Cough delivers a good proportion of its effects through cannabinoids including THC and CBD. THC, in addition to imparting the bulk of the cannabis plant’s intoxicating “high,” has been shown to offer other potential benefits, such as helping with pain and inflammation. The Strawberry Cough strain typically contains roughly 19%-22% THC, making it potent but not overwhelmingly so. This is a benefit when it comes to addressing the symptoms of anxiety, as an excess of THC can actually stimulate anxiety rather than diminishing it.
Terpenes, Aromas, and Flavors
As one might expect given its name, the Strawberry Cough strain is known for its delicious strawberry scent and flavor. This is due to its unique terpene profile, which typically includes:
- Myrcene: An earthy and spicy terpene, you will recognize this terpene as one of the dominant aromas and flavors in mangoes
- Pinene: An uplifting and fresh terpene, pinene is the scent you’d associate with pine trees
- Caryophyllene: This terpene often provides a spicy kick to many cannabis strains
- Limonene: A terpene known for its bright citrusy aroma and flavor, it brings a fresh and uplifting quality to this strain’s profile
Terpenes, of course, are the “essential oils” found in cannabis as well as countless other natural products. They play a dominant role in giving different cannabis strains their distinctive flavors and aromas, but that’s not all they do.
As a growing body of clinical research shows, terpenes impart medical benefits as well. The dominant terpene in the Strawberry Cough strain is myrcene, a terpene that has been shown to have potential analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anxiolytic (or anxiety-reducing) effects. Another of Strawberry Cough’s dominant terpenes, caryophyllene, has been shown to impart anxiolytic effects of its own.
These studies provide crucial evidence-based backing to users’ subjective experience of the strain, suggesting that when it comes to fighting stress, Strawberry Cough really does provide solid uplift and support.
Growing the Strawberry Cough Strain
Interested in growing Strawberry Cough? According to cultivators such as Dutch Passion, it’s a great strain for novice growers. Flowering time is a rapid nine weeks (about 63-70 days), and the plants readily adapt to a variety of grow mediums and styles. Some growers find that the plants do better in indoor environments that protect them from cold.
Even with sativa-leaning genetics, the plants will take on a more indica-like structure, growing to be medium-sized and somewhat bushier than sativa plants generally are. Tend to them with care and you can expect vibrant plants with a high yield and a pungent strawberry aroma.
Explore Strawberry Cough and More With Vireo
If you’re interested in learning about any of the other strains of cannabis we feature, visit our Cannabis Library to explore our database of other sativa, indica, and hybrid varieties.
You can also explore the strains we currently have in stock at your nearest Vireo Health dispensary.
Need help getting your medical card? Start here. Do you have questions about Strawberry Cough or any of the other cannabis products we offer? Don’t hesitate to reach out! We’re here to help.
